Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and other adherents in the Latter Day Saint movement, believe that there will be a Second Coming of Jesus Christ to the earth sometime in the future. The LDS Church and its leaders do not make predictions of the actual date of the Second Coming.
According to LDS Church teachings, the restored gospel will be taught in all parts of the world prior to the Second Coming. [1] The members of the church believe that the scriptures prophesy that there will be wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other man-made and natural disasters prior to the Second Coming. [2] [ better source needed ]
The LDS Church teaches that God loves all people, [3] [4] both those who are present on the earth, as well as those who have been on the earth previously. LDS theology holds that all people will be resurrected because of the atonement of Christ; [5] however, in order to gain exaltation, there are certain ordinances which must be performed while on the earth, including baptism, confirmation, temple endowment, and celestial marriage. [6] [7] [8] The LDS Church believes that God will provide a way for those who have not received the required ordinances to have the work done for them. [9] Human beings will not miss the chance to get into heaven due to failing to learn about or embrace Latter-day Saint teachings while alive.[ citation needed ] Through temple work done by living proxies and through missionary work taking place in the spirit world, the church claims that all people will have the opportunity to accept these ordinances, even if not until after they have died. [10]
It is believed that those who have died who have not received these ordinances, or do not know or understand about Christ, will be taught in the afterlife. [11] This work is done similar to the way missionary work is done in life. [12] It is believed that in the afterlife, individuals retain their beliefs, knowledge and agency, and they will still be able to choose for themselves what they desire. Having the work done for them does nothing unless they desire it. It will not change their religion, beliefs, or feelings, unless they themselves decide to accept the work done for them. [13]
LDS Church members currently perform this work by researching genealogical records for the names of deceased persons in their families, performing ordinances such as baptism and marriage with living proxies in temple ceremonies. Church members believe that those who have died who have also received these ordinances act as missionaries to the unconverted who have passed on in an effort to persuade them to accept the work done on their behalf and accept the parts of the gospel that they did not learn or accept in life. Latter-day Saints believe that this work will continue after the Second Coming, during a period Latter-day Saints refer to as the Millennium. The LDS Church teaches that Jesus Christ will return to the earth to prepare for ordinance and conversion work to be done for all people who have ever lived, as well as to prepare the Earth itself for the completion of its mission as a testing ground for human souls. [14]
According to the Doctrine and Covenants, which is considered scriptural canon in the LDS Church, "[the Son of Man] now reigneth in the heavens and will reign till he descends on the earth … which time is nigh at hand … but the hour and the day no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor shall they know until he comes." [15]
The LDS Church teaches that no person will be given the knowledge of when the Second Coming is to occur. There are no official teachings speculating about an exact time or date. Although the exact time and date is not known, Latter-day Saints believe that specific events must take place as signs before the Second Coming can occur. [16] [17]
The LDS Church teaches that Jesus will come in "power and great glory." [18] Latter-day Saints believe that the person who will arrive is the same Jesus as the one who ascended to heaven in the New Testament account [19] and that he will still have the marks of the nails in his hands and feet that he gained from the Crucifixion when he returns. [20]
The LDS Church teaches that the entire Earth will be aware of the arrival of Jesus, including non-believers. [21] [22]
Events that are specified in Church teachings to occur at the Second Coming include:
This section uses texts from within a religion or faith system without referring to secondary sources that critically analyze them.(October 2018) |
The LDS Church is fairly specific about the events that will occur at the Second Coming.[ citation needed ]
This section uses texts from within a religion or faith system without referring to secondary sources that critically analyze them.(October 2018) |
According to LDS Church doctrine, the Millennium is believed to be a period of peace and righteousness. [37] During this time, Jesus will personally reign on the earth, and Satan will be bound and have no power over the people due to their righteousness. [38]
Latter-day Saints teach that during the first part of the Millennium, many missionaries will be needed throughout the world to teach those on the Earth. However, as time progresses, missionary work will decrease as the knowledge that Jesus is the Christ and knowledge about the gospel spreads. [14]
During the Millennium, the majority of the work and ordinances necessary for salvation for those who have died will be completed. The LDS Church teaches that the individuals retain free will whether or not they chose to perform the ordinances themselves or if the ordinances were performed by proxy. Doctrinally, deceased individuals must voluntarily accept the ordinances and become converted to the teachings of Christ for them to come into effect. Latter-day Saints believe that the human family tree all the way to Adam will have its temple ordinances completed. [14] This work will be made possible through the help of those who have been resurrected at or before the Second Coming of Christ. [39]
Latter-day Saints believe that organizations and families will continue through the Millennium similar as they are now. [39]
Close to the end of the Millennium, it is believed that Satan will be loosed for a short period of time. [40] At this point, the Archangel Michael, who the LDS Church teaches is the same person as Adam, will lead the righteous in a final battle against Satan and his followers. Church teachings hold that Satan and his followers will be cast into a place referred to as outer darkness. Because Satan and his followers had once lived in the presence of God, they have an undeniable knowledge of God, Jesus Christ, and their plan for humanity. Their rebellion is treated as the only unforgivable sin in LDS belief: knowing rebellion against God's plan and attempting to deceive the people who inhabit the earth. The only people that lived on the Earth that will be cast out with Satan are those who have gained a similarly complete, undeniable understanding of God and his plan, and then denied or falsified this truth. These are known as the Sons of Perdition. [41] [42]
It is believed at the close of the Millennium, with all the work complete, the final judgment of the souls of human beings will take place. [43] [ unreliable source? ] The Earth will then receive its paradisaical glory or become "celestialized" and those who lived on this earth and worthy of celestial glory, will inherit it and live with God and Christ. [44]
The LDS Church believes that no man shall know the hour of the coming of Christ, however there are signs which have been given which will show that the Second Coming is approaching. [45] Some of the major events, and their believed fulfillment states that have been prophesied, are listed below:
The Book of Acts states, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." [46] It is believed that this means that there must be a restitution of all things before the Second Coming. The Book of Revelation says, "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people". [47] This gospel believed to be the same church that was on the earth when Christ was here initially, and that it must be restored to the earth. It would then be established throughout the world. The LDS Church believes that the true church that was originally formed became corrupted within decades of being established by Jesus Christ. Since God is the same yesterday, today and always, [48] this restoration would need to be done through divine revelation, the same as it has been done in times of old.
It is believed that if there is truly a God, there must truly be a Devil. If there was true doctrine taught from God, then there must truly be a force that would do everything in his power to make men believe anything but the truth. [51] That means that if there was a true Church established by revelation, that there must be great opposition to the truth, and that those people that followed it would be seen as strange and peculiar by most.
In the Book of Malachi, it is prophesied that before the Second Coming, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers". [52]
The 10th Article of Faith states: "We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes." The tribe of Ephraim is given the privilege of leading the gathering, with the tribe of Manasseh assisting.
The Book of Isaiah states: "And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." [54] The LDS Church believes in both a literal gathering, and a figurative gathering. The ensign is believed to be the church, and the figurative gathering is the gathering of members into the church. The literal gathering of the dispersed of Judah is believed to be a gathering back into the Holy Land. [55]
A sign that has yet to take place is the commencement of missionary work within Israel. The LDS Church believes that before the return of Christ, that the gospel must be taught to those who are in Israel, and the church must be legally established within those bounds. [56]
The LDS Church believes that there will be a temple built within Jerusalem. [56] The temple within Jerusalem will be built with one additional distinguishing feature that all other LDS temples do not have. This temple will contain a throne, which, at times, the Savior will personally sit and reign over the house of Israel. [56] [59]
Concerning the temple in Jerusalem, Orson Pratt stated, "By and by there will be a Temple built at Jerusalem. Who do you think is going to build it? You may think that it will be the unbelieving Jews who rejected the Savior. I believe that which is contained on the 77th page of the Book of Mormon, as well as in many other places, in that same book, will be literally fulfilled. The Temple at Jerusalem will undoubtedly be built, by those who believe in the true Messiah. Its construction will be, in some respects different from the Temples now being built. It will contain the throne of the Lord, upon which he will, at times, personally sit, and will reign over the house of Israel for ever. It may also contain twelve other thrones, on which the twelve ancient Apostles will sit, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel." [60]
More recently, Bruce R. McConkie stated, "Who are those 'that are far off' who shall come to Jerusalem to build the house of the Lord? Surely they are the Jews who have been scattered afar. By what power and under whose authorization shall the work be done? There is only one place under the whole heavens where the keys of temple building are found. There is only one people who know how to build temples and what to do in them when they are completed. That people is the Latter-day Saints. The temple in Jerusalem will not be built by Jews who have assembled there for political purposes as at present. It will not be built by a people who know nothing whatever about the sealing ordinances and their application to the living and the dead. It will not be built by those who know nothing about Christ and his laws and the mysteries reserved for the saints. But it will be built by Jews who have come unto Christ, who once again are in the true fold of their ancient Shepherd, and who have learned anew about temples because they know that Elijah did come, not to sit in a vacant chair at some Jewish feast of the Passover, but to the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836, to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. The temple in Jerusalem will be built by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 'They that are far off,' they that come from an American Zion, they who have a temple in Salt Lake City will come to Jerusalem to build there another holy house in the Jerusalem portion of 'the mountains of the Lord's house.'" [61]
It is believed that two people will be called to preach the gospel in the land of Jerusalem, and that they will have the faith and power to cause miracles as seen in the Book of Revelation. [62] Since they are given the rights to prophecy, it is believed that they are prophets. [63] These prophets will be called to teach the gospel during a time of great conflict, and will be able to keep the nations gathered against Israel at bay for their ministry. This conflict is believed to be part of the battle of Armageddon, which is to take place near Megiddo or the Valley of Jezreel. After three and a half years, they will be killed by their enemies, and their bodies will lie in the street for three and a half days. Then a large earthquake will occur and they will rise miraculously and will ascend into heaven. Any of the twelve apostles could be considered a prophet, as they are accepted by the church as prophets, seers and revelators.
According to one Latter-day Saint commentator, [64] there are many signs, many of which have already passed.
Sign | Believed fulfillment state | Notes |
---|---|---|
Apostate darkness covers earth | Fulfilled | This is believed to be the time between the death of Jesus Christ to restoration of the church. |
Many false churches | Fulfilled | |
Spirit to be poured out on all flesh [65] | Fulfilled | Most LDS Church members believe this to be the pouring out of knowledge and wisdom, and can be attributed to many discoveries, and the progression of ages (i.e.: the progression out of the Dark Ages) [66] |
Discovery and use of printing [67] | Fulfilled | |
Protestant reformation and age of renaissance | Fulfilled | |
Discovery and colonization of America [68] | Fulfilled | |
Establishment of the American nation | Fulfilled | |
Translation and printing of the Bible | Fulfilled | |
Establishment of U.S. Constitution [69] | Fulfilled | |
Latter-day revelation [70] [71] | Fulfilled | |
Coming forth of the Book of Mormon [72] [73] | Fulfilled | See above: There must be a restitution of all things |
Opposition to the Book of Mormon | Fulfilled | See above: There will be opposition to the restoration |
Restoration of keys and priesthood | Fulfilled | See above: There must be a restitution of all things |
Restoration of the gospel [71] | Fulfilled | See above: There must be a restitution of all things |
Messenger to precede second coming | Fulfilled | "And even so I have sent mine everlasting covenant into the world, to be a light to the world, and to be a standard for my people, and for the Gentiles to seek to it, and to be a messenger before my face to prepare the way before me." [74] It is generally seen by LDS members that the gospel itself is the messenger, however it could be considered that other messengers have been sent, including Elijah and a modern-day prophet, Joseph Smith. |
Church and kingdom set up again | Fulfilled | See above: There must be a restitution of all things |
Growth of the church | Fulfilled | See above: There must be a restitution of all things |
Gathering of Israel | Fulfilled | See above: The descendants of Judah will gather from the four corners of the earth |
Times of Gentiles being fulfilled [75] | Fulfilled | It is believed that the coming of the Book of Mormon to the American people fulfills this prophecy. |
Return of Tribe of Judah to Jerusalem | Fulfilled | See above: The descendants of Judah will gather from the four corners of the earth |
Jews to begin to believe in Christ | Fulfilled | As Christ taught primarily amongst the Jewish people during his life, most of the early converts to Christianity were Jewish, however according to the Jewish Encyclopedia, "The number of post-Mendelssohnian Jews who abandoned their ancestral faith is very large". [76] Though there is an ongoing process of people being converted to and from the Jewish faith, it is believed that most of the Jewish faith will not believe in Christ until after the Second Coming. |
Building of latter-day temples | Fulfilled | |
Lord to come suddenly to temple | Fulfilled | "As shown in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon, after his resurrection, Jesus Christ can, and also does, appear to people in this latter-day dispensation of the gospel. When these sacred manifestations are for personal instruction, they are not spoken of openly. However, when it is appropriate, the divine communication is made public. It is a principle of the gospel that the Lord Jesus Christ can, and will, manifest himself to his people, including individual members, in his own time, and 'in his own way, and according to his own will' (D&C 88:68)." [77] One such occasion is as follows: "One week following the dedication of the Kirtland Temple the Prophet Joseph Smith, with Oliver Cowdery, the Council of the Twelve, and several brethren of the priesthood, partook of the sacrament in the lower room of the temple. After having performed this service to the brethren of the priesthood, Joseph and Oliver retired to the pulpit on the west side of the room, and the veils that secluded them from the other brethren were dropped. The two young men then bowed their heads in solemn and silent prayer. After rising from prayer, the following glorious vision burst before them: We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us;" [78] |
Spirit of Elijah and genealogical research | Fulfilled | See above: Elijah the prophet is to return to the earth |
Persecution of the saints | Fulfilled | See above: There will be opposition to the restoration |
Persecution of the Jews | Fulfilled | |
Peace taken from earth | Fulfilled | Modern prophets have stated that peace has been removed from the earth, and will not be restored until the Second Coming. [79] |
Refusal of men to believe signs of times | Fulfilled | |
Ten tribes to return | Fulfilled and in progress | According to LDS Church doctrine, the gathering of Israel is believed to be both the gathering of the tribes of Israel into the membership of the church, and the literal gathering of the tribes of Israel. [80] [81] [82] It is believed that the house of Israel was scattered abroad across the earth, and most people on the earth have some lineage from the literal house of Israel. A patriarchal blessing given to faithful members is believed to contain within it the lineage from the house of Israel from which the person is descended. If one is not descended from the literal lineage, it is believed that they are "grafted" or adopted into the house of Israel when the person is baptized. [83] |
True gospel to be preached to all the world [1] | Fulfilled and in progress | The LDS Church currently has missionary work in countries throughout the world, and many more countries without missionary work contain members. |
Worldly knowledge to increase | Fulfilled and in progress | |
Scientific and inventive progress | Fulfilled and in progress | |
Disease, plague, pestilence to sweep earth | Fulfilled and in progress | |
Elements in commotion | Fulfilled and in progress | This is commonly believed to be upsets in common weather patterns. |
Disasters and calamities to abound | Fulfilled and in progress | |
Social unrest, corruption, violence to increase | Fulfilled and in progress | |
Wickedness | Fulfilled and in progress | |
Holy Spirit ceasing to strive with wicked | Fulfilled and in progress | In the Book of Mormon, those who the Spirit ceased to strive with often became violent and uncaring about their own salvation, or the souls of others. This often resulted in the warfare and destruction of entire groups of people. |
Angels now reaping the earth | Fulfilled and in progress | It is commonly believed that this term refers to both missionary work, and to the destruction of the wicked. At this time missionary work is in progress, however the destruction of the wicked will not occur until the Second Coming. [84] [85] |
Wars and rumors of wars | Fulfilled and in progress | |
Famines, depressions, and economic turmoil | Fulfilled and in progress | |
Lamanites to blossom as the rose [86] | Fulfilled and in progress | According to the footnotes on Doctrine and Covenants 49:24, this is referring to the gospel going to the Lamanites, which are believed to be among the ancestors of the American Indians. |
Sorrow and fear | Fulfilled and in progress | It is believed that this will get worse as we get closer to the Second Coming. |
Beginning of the construction of the Temple of the New Jerusalem in Independence, Missouri | Pending | In August 1831, the temple grounds were marked with a cornerstone by the leadership of the church, however the Latter-day Saints were evicted from Independence in 1833. A temple was started by the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) in 1927, but was soon abandoned. |
Signs on earth and heavens | Fulfilled | The prophecy of Joel was declared fulfilled by church president Gordon B. Hinckley in a sermon titled, "Living in the Fulness of Times", in the 2001 October General Conference. While some may say that the moon turning to blood can be seen (for example, gazing at it through the smoke of a forest fire will give it a red color), most LDS members do not believe this is a fulfillment of this prophecy yet, and that there is a more dramatic appearance yet to be had. However, there is one recorded experience of such an event that covered a fairly wide area: New England's Dark Day. |
The gathering at Adam-ondi-Ahman | Pending | It is believed that Adam will convene a meeting at Adam-ondi-Ahman to officially turn the government of the human family over to Jesus Christ. It is also believed that other patriarchal prophets throughout the Bible will gather there to return keys of their dispensation to Christ. Such an event as this would most likely not be made public knowledge; thus, fulfillment would be difficult to verify. |
Final great war | Pending | It is believed that the nations will gather near Har Megiddo or the Valley of Jezreel which is located in the north part of Israel near the coast. |
Fall of the great and abominable church [87] [88] | Pending | According to LDS teachings the great and abominable church is not a specific denomination, but is composed of those who fight against the saints of God and have their hearts set on the things of the world. [89] [90] Its members are not defined by any specific church and includes members from every denomination, including Mormons. [90] According to D&C 88 this event happens in conjunction with the Second Coming. |
Special mission in Jerusalem of two latter-day prophets | Pending | See above: Two witnesses will be called to prophecy and preach within the land of Jerusalem |
The Standard Works of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are the four books that currently constitute its open scriptural canon. The four books of the standard works are:
In Latter Day Saints theology, the term spirit world refers to the realm where the spirits of the dead await the resurrection. In LDS thought, this spirit world is divided into at least two conditions: Paradise and spirit prison:
In Mormonism, the restoration refers to a return of the authentic priesthood power, spiritual gifts, ordinances, living prophets and revelation of the primitive Church of Christ after a long period of apostasy. While in some contexts the term may also refer to the early history of Mormonism, in other contexts the term is used in a way to include the time that has elapsed from the church's earliest beginnings until the present day. Especially in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints "the restoration" is often used also as a term to encompass the corpus of religious messages from its general leaders down to the present.
In the Latter Day Saint movement, an ordinance is a sacred rite or ceremony that has spiritual and symbolic meanings and act as a means of conveying divine grace. Ordinances are physical acts which signify or symbolize an underlying spiritual act; for some ordinances, the spiritual act is the finalization of a covenant between the ordinance recipient and God.
In the Latter Day Saint movement, the President of the Church is generally considered to be the highest office of the church. It was the office held by Joseph Smith, founder of the movement, and the office assumed by many of Smith's claimed successors, such as Brigham Young, Joseph Smith III, Sidney Rigdon, and James Strang. Several other titles have been associated with this office, including First Elder of the church, Presiding High Priest, President of the High Priesthood, Trustee-in-Trust for the church, Prophet, Seer, Revelator, and Translator. Joseph Smith was known by all of these titles in his lifetime.
The Church of Christ was the original name of the Latter Day Saint church founded by Joseph Smith. Organized informally in 1829 in upstate New York and then formally on April 6, 1830, it was the first organization to implement the principles found in Smith's newly published Book of Mormon, and thus its establishment represents the formal beginning of the Latter Day Saint movement. Later names for this organization included the Church of the Latter Day Saints, the Church of Jesus Christ, the Church of God, the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has several unique teachings about Judaism and the House of Israel. The largest denomination in the Latter Day Saint movement, the LDS Church teaches the belief that the Jewish people are God's chosen people and it also teaches the belief that its members share a common and literal Israelite ancestry with the Jewish people.
The law of consecration is a commandment in the Latter Day Saint movement in which adherents promise to dedicate their lives and material substance to the church. It was first referred to in 1831 by Joseph Smith.
In the Latter Day Saint movement, a temple is a building dedicated to being a house of God and is reserved for special forms of worship. A temple differs from a church meetinghouse, which is used for weekly worship services. Temples have been a significant part of the Latter Day Saint movement since early in its inception. Today, temples are operated by several Latter Day Saint denominations. The most prolific builder of temples of the Latter Day Saint movement is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The LDS Church has 367 temples in various phases, which includes 197 dedicated temples, 5 scheduled for dedication, 49 under construction, 1 scheduled for groundbreaking, and 115 others announced. Several others within the movement have built or attempted to build temples. The Community of Christ operates one temple in the United States, which is open to the public and used for worship services, performances, and religious education. Other denominations with temples are the Apostolic United Brethren, the Church of Christ, the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and the Righteous Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In the Latter Day Saint movement, confirmation, is an ordinance essential for salvation. It involves the laying on of hands and is performed after baptism. Through confirmation, the initiate becomes an official member of the church and receives the gift of the Holy Ghost. Baptism and confirmation are administered to persons at least eight years old. The ordinance corresponds to the confirmation rite in many other Christian faiths. Confirmations were first performed on April 6, 1830, at the organizational meeting of the Church of Christ.
Within the Latter Day Saint movement, the "Articles of Faith" is a statement of beliefs composed by Joseph Smith as part of an 1842 letter sent to "Long" John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat, and first published in the Latter Day Saint newspaper Times and Seasons. It is a concise listing of thirteen fundamental doctrines of Mormonism. Most Latter Day Saint denominations view the articles as an authoritative statement of basic theology. Some denominations, such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have adopted the articles as scripture. For some sects, the Articles of Faith are known collectively as "An Epitome of Faith and Doctrine".
In the theology and cosmology of Mormonism, in heaven there are three degrees of glory which are the ultimate, eternal dwelling places for nearly all who have lived on earth after they are resurrected from the spirit world.
In the Latter Day Saint movement, a covenant is a promise made between God and a person or a group of people. God sets the conditions of the covenant, and as the conditions are met, he blesses the person who entered into and kept the covenant. If the covenant is violated, blessings are withheld and in some cases a penalty or punishment is inflicted.
Community of Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are two denominations that share a common heritage in the Church of Christ founded by Joseph Smith on April 6, 1830. Since Smith's death in 1844, they have evolved separately in belief and practices. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, and claims more than 17 million members worldwide; Community of Christ is headquartered in Independence, Missouri, and reports a worldwide membership of approximately 250,000.
In Mormonism, revelation is communication from God to man. Latter Day Saints teach that the Latter Day Saint movement began with a revelation from God, which began a process of restoring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. Latter Day Saints also teach that revelation is the foundation of the church established by Jesus Christ and that it remains an essential element of his true church today. Continuous revelation provides individual Latter Day Saints with a "testimony", described by Richard Bushman as "one of the most potent words in the Mormon lexicon".
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the priesthood is the power and authority to act in the name of God for the salvation of humankind. Male members of the church who meet standards of worthy behavior and church participation are generally ordained to specific offices within the priesthood.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints focuses its doctrine and teaching on Jesus Christ; that he was the Son of God, born of Mary, lived a perfect life, performed miracles, bled from every pore in the Garden of Gethsemane, died on the cross, rose on the third day, appeared again to his disciples, and now resides, authoritatively, on the right hand side of God. In brief, some beliefs are in common with Catholics, Orthodox and Protestant traditions. However, teachings of the LDS Church differ significantly in other ways and encompass a broad set of doctrines, so that the above-mentioned denominations usually place the LDS Church outside the bounds of orthodox Christian teaching as summarized in the Nicene Creed.
Baptism for the dead, vicarious baptism or proxy baptism today commonly refers to the religious practice of baptizing a person on behalf of one who is dead—a living person receiving the rite on behalf of a deceased person.
Continuous revelation or continuing revelation is a theological belief or position that God continues to reveal divine principles or commandments to humanity.
Exaltation is a belief in Mormonism that after death some people will reach the highest level of salvation in the celestial kingdom and eternally live in God's presence, continue as families, become gods, create worlds, and make spirit children over whom they will govern. In the largest Mormon denomination, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, top leaders have taught that God wants exaltation for all humankind and that humans are "gods in embryo". A verse in the LDS Church's canonized scripture states that those who are exalted will become gods, and a 1925 statement from the church's highest governing body said that "All men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother ... [and are] capable, by experience through ages and aeons, of evolving into a God."